Gov. Haley Barbour is asking President Bush to declare a major disaster in four counties hit by the worst flood the region has seen in more than three decades.

Barbour told Bush in a letter sent Thursday that 343 homes in Bolivar, Warren, Washington and Wilkinson Counties have been destroyed by flooding and backwater.

He says the flooding damage is so severe state and local governments will require federal assistance.

Barbour is asking the Federal Emergency Management Agency to make grant money available to individuals and may soon ask for community aid.